Allen- h



(N0 Model.) A. H. s ITI-L Windmill.

No. 228,283. Patented June 1,1880.

NPEIERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPNER WASHINGTON D c UNTTnn STATES PATENT Qrrrcn.

ALLEN H. SMITH, OF BURLINGTON, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF OF HIS RIGHT TO A. W. JONES, OF SAME PLACE.

WINDMILL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 228,283, dated June 1, 1880. Application filed March 26, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALLEN H. SMITH, of Burlington, county of Coffey, State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Wind-Powers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- My invention relates to an improvement in windmills, the object being to provide a wind will having a horizontal wind-wheel with combined stationary and pivoted curved vanes and regulating devices adapted to automatically 1 5 regulate the speed of the wind-wheel by varying the capacity of the vanes, these several devices to be simple in construction, and so arranged as not to be liable to become impaired by use, and adapted to be manufactured at small first cost.

With these ends in view my invention consists in the several details of construction and combinations of parts, as will hereinafter be described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view, in perspective, of my improved windwheel. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the under side of one of the thimbles or heads. Fig. 3 is a detached sectional view of the reciprocating o band on the post of the windmill, and Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken through the fixed section of the fans.

1 represents the upright post, which is firmly secured at its lower end to any suitable base.

3 5 A thimble or lower head, 3, is journaled upon the lower end of the axle 2,thelower side of the thimble resting upon a shoulder formed at the junction of the axle 2 and post 1. Thimble 3 is preferably composed of a single piece of cast iron, and provided with an annular groove, 5, and curved arms 4, the latter being furnished with grooves 5, which intersect and unite with the annular groove 5.

Fans 6, each composed of the inner section,

5 6, and outer section, 6 are secured in place as follows: Inner sections, 6, are each provided at their inner edges with curved supporting-flanges 8, which latter are inserted in the annular groove 5, while a portion of the lower edge of the outwardly-projecting part of the fan-sections are seated in the grooves 5 formed in the arms 4. When all the fan-sections are in place, as illustrated in Fig. 4., it will be observed that all the several sections are securely braced, as the edge of one flange, S, abuts against the edge of the flange on the next adjacent section, thus not only serving to strengthen and thoroughly brace all the several sections, but also serving to form a perfect joint to prevent the passage of air between the joints.

The upper end of the inner sections of the several fans are secured in place by another thimble or head, 3, of the construction hereinbefore described, the upper thimble being fitted upon the upper edges of the fan-sections and secured in place to axle 2. Thus the inner sections of the fans are rigidly secured at opposite ends to the upper and lower thimbles 3 3, and the latter are free to rotate on the axle 2.

To the outer edges of the inner sections, 6, are hinged the outer sections, 6 by a rulejoint hinge, 17, which is located on the inner face of the two fan-sections, allowing the adjacent edges of said sections to abut against each other.

Vhile this form of joint is not broadly new, it is a valuable and important feature of construction in wind-wheels of the type in question, as it affords a firm bearing for the inner edge of the outer or pivoted section upon the outer edge of the inner or fixed section, and, further, forms a practically air-tight joint, thereby preventing any waste of power incident to the escape of wind through the joints.

That portion of the inner section located between the thimbles may be made of light material and have shoulders 7 formed thereon at the outer ends of the arms 4, to allow of the 0 employment of any thickness of material for the outer portion of the same.

Fans 6 are formed at any desired curvature, and are preferably formed of about one-third of a circle, and of a length proportioned to the desired size of wind-wheel to be used. Upon the axle 2, at any desired point between the upper and lower thimbles, is placed a sliding band, 18, which is prevented from rotary movement by means of a feather and groove; or a portion of the axle may be made of angular shape in cross-section and the band lit the same, thereby allowing the band to slide vertically, but be retained against rotary movement.

Band 18 is formed with an annular groove, within which is placed a rotating ring, 19. Chains or cords 21 are secured at one end .to the outer edges of the pivoted sections of the several fans, the chains extending inwardly and over pulleys 20, journaled in the flanges 8 of the inner fan-sections, the opposite ends of the chains being secured to rotary ring 19. A chain, cord, or rod, 22, is attached to the sliding band 18, and extends down within a. groove in the upright post and within the lower thimble to any point within easy reach. By pulling upon chain 22 the pivoted sections of the fans are folded, which operation is resorted to when the windmill is not desired for use.

To the outer edges of each one of the several pivoted fan-sections is secured a chain, 12, which passes around a pulley, 9, journaled in an opening in the inner fan-sections, and from thence passes around a pulley, 11, journaled in the outer end of arm 10, the opposite end of the chain being attached to the next adjacent pivoted fan-section. Arm 10 is secured at one end to the rear surface of the inner fan-section, and is curved to correspond with the curvature of the fan, so that it serves as a brace for the pivoted fa-n'section and relieves the hinges of any undue strain, and also serves as a bracket for the pulley 11. Governor-rod 14 is pivoted or hinged at its upper end to the upper thimble 3, and to its lower end is secured a weight, 16, which latter may be adj ustably secured to the rod. The governor-rod is attached to the chain 12 between pulleys 9 and 11, and at a snfiicient distance below pulley 9 to allow the governor-rod to rise and fall without cramping.

Having described the construction and relative arrangement of the different parts of my improvement, I will now briefly describe its operation.

The wind striking the concave surface of the fans is prevented from being deflected therefrom, and hence the full force of the wind is utilized in imparting rotary movement to the wind-wheel. A portion of the wind striking the rear or convex side of the fan is utilized, as it is deflected therefrom and directed against the concave or front side of the next adjacent fan-section. The speed of the fan is automatically regulated by means of the governor attachment. 1f the force of the wind is too great, it will rotate the fan at a sufficiently high speed to raise the governorball and carry the chains 12 outward, thereby partly folding the pivoted sections of the fan and decreasing the wind-receiving surface of the wheel. As the wheel is retarded in speed the governor-ball falls, pulling the pivoted fan-sections open, and presents the full surface of the fan to the action of the wind.

Thus it will be observedthat the speed of the wheel is automatically regulated, and the devices employed for this purpose are simple in construction and not liable to become disarranged in use.

When the windmill is not desired for use the pivoted fansections are folded by pulling upon the chain 22.

It is evident that slight changes in the construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention, and hence I would have it understood that I do not restrict myself to the exact construction and arrangement of parts shown and described but,

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A wind-wheel composed of fixed and pivoted sections, the former formed with curved flanges on their inner edges, which abut against each other, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the fixed sections of the wind-wheel, of thimbles, each prox ided with an annular groove, and with curved arms having grooves formed therein, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the inner fixed sections, of the outer curved sections, connected therewith by a rule-joint hinge, located upon the concave or inner surface of the fan, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the fixed and pivoted fan-sections, of a sliding band provided with a rotary ring, and chains secured at one end to the outer edges of the pivoted fan-sections and extending over pulleys journaled in the fixed fan-sections, and secured at their opposite ends to the rotating ring, and a chain or rod attached to the sliding band, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with the inner fixed fan-sections and outer pivoted fan-sections, of curved braces attached to the rear side of the inner section and extending outwardly in rear of the pivoted sections, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination, with the fixed and pivoted fan-sections, pulleys journaled in the outer ends of braces attached to the fixed fanseotions, of chains attached at opposite ends to the outer edges of the two adjacent pivoted fan-sections, and passing around pulleys journaled in the fixed fan-sections and outer ends of said braces, and a governor-rod having a weight secured to its lower end, the upper end being pivoted to the upper thimble, said chain being attached to the governorrod, substantially ,as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I hereunto set my hand this 26th day of March, 1880.

ALLEN E. SMITH.

Witnesses:

JAS. E. Huronmson, HENRY G. HAZARD. 

